This Time for Keeps

by Rochelle Alers

  “Take it home with you, Nicole. And don’t forget to have some fun.”

  Nicole disconnected the call, shifted into gear and drove out of the parking lot. Preston had suggested she have fun and that was what she intended to do. After Daniel and Luke boarded the bus tomorrow morning, she planned to go back to bed and sleep until late morning—something she hadn’t done in a while.

  She arrived home, changed into jogging clothes and took Othello for a run. By the time Nicole returned to the house, showered and prepared a salad for her lunch, the bus had dropped off her nephews.

  * * *

  “Aunt Nikki, do we have to go back to counseling?”

  Nicole’s hand halted cutting circles on the sheet of cookie dough. She stared at Daniel and Luke sitting in the nook. It was their favorite spot to do homework after dinner.

  “Why don’t you want to go back, Daniel?”

  “I get tired of talking about the same thing.”

  “Me, too,” Luke said in agreement.

  It had been two months since her nephews had started seeing counselors for weekly individual sessions, and their therapists had reported they were adjusting to the loss of their mother and their father’s absence.

  “I’ll call your therapists tomorrow to ask them whether they believe you’re ready to stop coming.” Her answer appeared to satisfy them when they nodded and went back to doing homework. Nicole wondered if it was something both wanted, or if Daniel was the one who did not want to go.

  When she’d questioned their counselors about the boys’ aggressiveness whenever they’d spent time with their grandparents, they contradicted her concern with the explanation that her nephews were competing with their cousins for their grandparents’ attention. Their grandmother, in particular, who tended to be overindulgent with her grandchildren.

  A smile parted her lips as she stared at the two boys writing in their notebooks. When Reggie had informed her that she was going to become an aunt, Nicole had done a happy dance. Even before Daniel was born she’d begun purchasing items for a layette. And the first time she’d held the three-month-old baby in her arms and he’d given her a crooked smile, her heart melted. Luke came along two years later and Nicole had asked Reggie and Melissa to add a codicil to their will, listing her as legal guardian in the event anything happened to them. Little had she known at the time that Melissa would lose her life and Reggie would be unable to care for them because of substance abuse.

  She finished cutting the circles of buttery shortbread dough, placing them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Nicole topped some with crushed pecans, colorful sprinkles, chopped dried cherries and cranberries. She baked a new batch of cookies every two weeks, much to the delight of her nephews. Peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip were among their favorites. She placed the two cookie sheets in the oven and set the timer.

  Luke closed his notebook and gathered his pencils. “I’m finished, Auntie Nikki.”

  Her eyes caressed his round brown face with its sparkling light brown eyes. “Do you want me to check it?”

  “No, thank you. I’m going to bed now.” He came over and hugged her. “Good night.”

  Nicole no longer had to remind the boys to brush their teeth before going to bed. She dropped a kiss on his head. “Good night, sweetie.”

  Daniel groaned as he erased whatever he’d written.

  “Do you need help with something?”

  “Nah, I’m good. I added something wrong.”

  It was a rare occasion that her nephews asked her to help them with their homework, although she wanted them to know they could always approach her with something they did not understand.

  Daniel slid off the bench seat. “I’m finished with math and spelling, and I’m going upstairs to review for my social studies test.”

  Nicole hugged him. “Good night.” She knew there would come a time when they wouldn’t feel comfortable with her overt affection, but she intended to hug and kiss them until they told her to stop.

  The cookies were cooling on a rack when her cell rang and Fletcher’s name appeared on the display. “Hey,” she crooned.

  “Hey yourself. Do you need a shoulder or bubbly?”

  “Both. Come on over and I’ll tell you.”

  “I’ll see you in about twenty minutes.”

  “I’ll leave the door unlocked, so just let yourself in.”

  “Do you think that’s wise, Nikki? It’s not the past when folks in The Falls didn’t lock their doors or cars.”

  “Don’t forget, I have Othello. Anyone crazy enough to break in will get the surprise of their life.”

  Fletcher laughed. “I rest my case.”

  * * *

  Fletcher opened the outer door and then the beveled-glass inner one and was greeted by Othello. He rested his free hand on the dog’s head. “How’s it going, boy?” He still was awed how easily he’d bonded with the powerful canine. Turning, he locked both doors.

  “Something smells delicious,” he announced, walking into the kitchen to find Nicole filling a large glass jar with cookies.

  She smiled at him. “I just baked a batch of cookies for the boys. Whenever they come home from school, they have a couple with a glass of milk. Do you want to sample a few?”

  It had been two days since he’d last seen Nicole, but to Fletcher it appeared to be a lot longer. She was the first woman, other than his sister, to sleep under his roof, and he wanted her to be the last. Not only had he enjoyed every moment they’d been together, he’d found her nephews to be bright, engaging and unbelievably well-adjusted given the loss of their mother and their father’s absence.

  He’d been filled with pride when escorting them into church and overhearing people refer to them as a nice family. Nicole and her nephews were family. He’d just assumed the role as a temporary dad until Reggie’s return.

  Fletcher set the bag with a bottle of chilled champagne on the countertop. Nicole’s bare, flawless face, large, bright eyes and the narrow headband holding her bangs off her forehead made her appear much younger than she was. Just looking at her, one would never have suspected she had seen her share of combat as a helicopter pilot. And the revealing white tank top and black leggings sent his libido into overdrive.

  He’d successfully repressed his sexual urges when with her because he did not want to face the reality that he wanted to sleep with Nicole. He wanted her for more than sex. He had found her so easy to talk to, and there was never a time when he felt as if he had to censor himself. That was not to say he’d had not his share of faux pas, but he was mature enough to apologize.

  “Yes, please. Where are the boys?”

  “They’re upstairs. Luke is probably in bed asleep, while Daniel will turn in around ten.”

  “Do you have to fight with them to go to bed?”

  Nicole shook her head. “No. I used to have a problem getting them up in the morning because they stay up late whenever there’s no school. I bought both digital alarm clocks and programmed them to go off at the same time Monday through Friday. The clocks aren’t on the nightstands, where they can reach over and hit the snooze button, so if they don’t want to hear the alarm, they have to get out of bed to turn it off.”

  Fletcher smiled. “Whatever works.”

  She pointed to the bag. “Did you bring a corkscrew?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He removed the bottle, two flutes, a corkscrew and, with a minimum effort, removed the cork.

  “I like a man who comes prepared,” Nicole said as he filled the flutes with the pale bubbly wine.

  “I was a Boy Scout and our motto was Be Prepared.”

  “I do remember you wearing your Scout uniform and marching with your troop during the Memorial Day parade,” Nicole said as she removed two dessert plates from an overhead cabinet. “I was ticked off because we didn’t have a Brownie or Girl Scout troo
p in The Falls.”

  “They had one in Mineral Springs,” Fletcher reminded her.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “That wasn’t going to happen because folks here didn’t want to have anything to do with people from the Springs.”

  “That did not stop your brother from marrying one.”

  Nicole nodded. “No one knew he was dating Melissa on the low-low until after they’d eloped.”

  “Don’t you mean the down low?”

  “No, Fletcher. It was so clandestine it was like a CIA Black Ops.”

  “I suppose they had their reasons for keeping their relationship secret.”

  Nicole lifted bare shoulders under the tank top. “Reggie would never admit it, but I believe he thought our parents would be opposed to him marrying someone who didn’t have a college degree.”

  “Is that what your parents told you? That you could only marry a man with a degree?”

  “Of course not! My parents aren’t that elitist. My father told me if I was ever going to get married, then to make certain I would be able to support our children in case something happened to my husband.”

  “So, you don’t plan for your husband to support you and your children?”

  “Don’t try to put words in my mouth, Fletcher. Of course, I would like him to be able to financially support our family, but it wouldn’t bother me if I had the greater earning potential. Marriage shouldn’t be a power struggle about who makes more money. I’ve known men to give up their careers and become stay-at-home dads while their wives are the breadwinners.”

  “Don’t you think they become resentful after a while being stuck at home with the kids while their wives socialize with clients or their coworkers?”

  Nicole picked up the flute but didn’t put it to her mouth. “You sound like a throwback to generations where men worked out of the house while their women were always barefoot and pregnant.”

  “I was just playing devil’s advocate. I may be old-school when it comes to not wanting to become a father unless I’m married, but I wouldn’t care if my wife made ten times more money than I did.”

  “What about staying home and taking care of the kids?”

  “I’m definitely agreeable to taking paternity leave.”

  Nicole raised her flute, touching it to his. “One of these days you’re going to be a wonderful husband and father for some woman.”

  Fletcher stared at Nicole over the rim of his glass before taking a sip. “Are you up for the position?”

  Her hand came down, seemingly in slow motion, as she gave him a long, penetrating stare. “Are you proposing marriage?” Her query was barely a whisper.

  Setting down his flute, Fletcher crossed his arms over the front of his sweatshirt. “I’m seriously thinking about it.”

  * * *

  Nicole was certain Fletcher could hear and see her heart wildly pumping in her chest. She felt as if her emotions were under attack as she stared into the amber-colored orbs, making it almost impossible for her to move or breathe. She liked him—no, she more than liked him. What had begun as a girlhood crush had evolved into something Nicole did not want to admit, because it would only result in heartache when it came time to leave Fletcher. She had fallen in love with his gentleness, honesty, generosity, loyalty and masculinity, and that had her wanting to lie with him.

  “You want to marry me without knowing if I love you?”

  He lowered his eyes as if hiding his innermost thoughts from her. “Do you think you could love me?”

  Nicole bit her lip. He’d answered her question with a question. “I’m not saying it’s impossible,” she said truthfully.

  He smiled and tiny lines fanned out around his eyes. “I’ll accept that.” Coming around the breakfast bar, Fletcher took her hand and led her into the family room. He sat on the love seat and pulled her down beside him. “I know you’re going back to Florida early next year, but I don’t want you to leave without knowing that I love you. I cannot and will not put pressure on you to give up your life in Miami, but just remember I’ll be here if you decide to come home.”

  Burying her face in his shoulder, Nicole breathed in the smell of his now-familiar bodywash. “You’re willing to wait for me?”

  “I’ve waited seventeen years, so a few more shouldn’t matter.”

  “What if I never come back?”

  “Once you make that decision, I think it’s only fair that you call me so we both can move on with our lives.”

  Nicole closed her eyes and suddenly the man she loved sounded selfish and manipulative. He had to know she had feelings for him. Otherwise she wouldn’t have permitted him to kiss her with a passion that had nearly spilled over to them making love to each other. And she knew it would’ve happened if they had been alone in the house.

  “I do love you, Fletcher. Right now, my life is in flux, so it’s impossible to commit to anything beyond taking care of Luke and Daniel until Reggie comes back. Earlier today Preston asked me to join the firm as a junior partner and I had to turn him down.”

  What she didn’t disclose to Fletcher was that one of the senior partners at the firm in Miami had sent her an email offering her a position, if and when she decided to return. It was apparent her replacement wasn’t working out as well as they’d hoped. She had held off replying because she did not want to work for a company that only viewed her as a cash cow and not someone going through a family crisis.

  When she’d approached the head of HR, she’d told the woman she would be willing to take an extended leave without pay and that when she returned she was willing to accept a reduction in salary, if they were willing to rehire her. It had taken less than twenty-four hours for the secretary of one of the partners to place an envelope on her desk. It contained a check for her hours worked and a two-sentence letter thanking her for her employment while hoping she was able to resolve her family problems.

  “Is it something you would consider if you don’t find something in Miami?”

  “Yes, only because I really enjoy working for Preston. He’s not about inflated retainers or gouging clients out of their hard-earned money for legal representation.”

  Fletcher kissed her hair. “So, you were able to win your client’s case?”

  “My client was given probation and has mandated drug treatment and community service in lieu of jail or maybe even prison.”

  “Have you ever lost a case?”

  Tilting her chin, Nicole stared up at Fletcher. “No, because today was the first day I’ve ever had to defend someone.”

  His inky black eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding?”

  She smiled. “No, I’m not. My role was to do research and remain in the background while the junior and senior partners argued cases.”

  Dipping his head, Fletcher touched his mouth to hers as he caressed her lips until they parted under his. Nicole moaned softly when his tongue slipped into her mouth. She felt herself drowning in the sweetness of his kiss as waves of ecstasy buffeted her from head to toe. She knew if she didn’t stop him, she would beg him to make love to her. Not only was it not the time but, most important, it was not the place.

  “Fletcher! Please let me go.” He pulled back and stared at her as if she was a stranger.

  “I’m sorry, Nikki. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  She traced his eyebrows with a finger, smoothing out the frown that had settled between his eyes. “There’s no need to apologize. It’s just the wrong time and place.” Her explanation seemed to mollify him when he smiled.

  “You’re right. There will be another appropriate time and place. I think I need another drink.”

  They returned to the kitchen, where Nicole drank two glasses of champagne to Fletcher’s three.

  She teased him, saying if he were stopped for driving under the influence, she’d represent him pro bono. She filled a large plas
tic container with an assortment of cookies for him to take.

  “Please be sure to share them with the guys at the garage.”

  “Yeah, right!” he drawled. “Their eyes may shine and their teeth may grit, but these here cookies they will never git.”

  “If you’re not going to share, then I’ll bake another batch and drop them off in a couple of days.” Nicole patted his shoulder as she handed him the bag with corkscrew. “Go home, babe.”

  He gave her a pointed look. “Are you putting me out?”

  Going on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “Yes, because I want to call my mother before it gets too late. She’s early to bed and early to rise.”

  “When am I going to see you again?”

  “Friday. I’ll come over after I drop the boys off.”

  “Are you bringing Othello? I bought a bed, bowls and food for him.”

  “Are you suggesting we sleep over?” Nicole asked.

  “Of course, sweetheart. You have to let me know if you want to go out for dinner, or if it’s not raining, then I’ll cook outdoors.”

  “We can stay in Friday and then decide what we want to do for Saturday.”

  Fletcher winked at her. “That sounds like a plan.”

  Nicole walked him to the door, watching on the porch until he got into his car and backed out of the driveway. Othello stood next to her, whining softly. “It’s okay, boy. You’ll see him again in a few days.” She went back into the house, locking the doors behind her. Later that night she would let Othello out the back door for his last romp and then arm the security system before going to bed.

  The day had been one of revelations. She had kept her client out of jail. Preston had offered her a partnership. Fletcher had given her an indirect marriage proposal, while offering her an out if she decided to return to live in Florida for the rest of her life.

  She did love him. He had everything she’d want in a man with whom she could share her life and future. But only time would tell, the closer it came to her brother’s recovery, whether she would give up the lifestyle to which she had become accustomed in Miami to return to a rural town with its two stoplights. A town where the railroad ran through the middle of downtown, and that claimed only two eating establishments.